Stephen E. Berken
He is the Colorado state chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He is the founding member of the Colorado Consumer Bankruptcy Association. He is the creator of the Colorado Debtors’ Counsel Listserv, an Internet-based source of information for debtors’ counsel in the state of Colorado. The Listserv is provided as a free service to counsel of the Debtors’ Bar. Mr. Berken is on the ABI Advisory Board for Colorado. Mr. Berken is a board-certified expert in consumer bankruptcy, American Bankruptcy Board of Certification. He is the state chair for C.A.R.E. (Credit Abuse Resistance Education). Mr. Berken was named Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year by 5280 Magazine for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Academic Information: B.A., Political Science, University of California, 1981, Cum Laude; J.D., Hastings College of the Law, University of California, 1984 Date admitted to practice: November 1, 1985.
Mr. Berken has been a presenter at the following seminars:
- ABI Consumer Workshop III, Riding the Circuits-Case law update, eligibility, consumer Chapter 11, January 2009
- Around the World in 80 Days, Bankruptcy Case update, ABI 2010
- 12th Annual Rocky Mountain Conference The Means Test, January 25, 2007, presenter
- ABI Consumer Workshop 2015
- ABI conference, Arizona December 3, 2015 Estate planning, divorce and bankruptcy: When Worlds Collide
- Debate, Las Vegas 2016 FDCPA v. Bankruptcy
- Litigation on a Budget, 23rd Annual Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference, January 2, 2018
- NACBA 26th Annual Convention, Litigation on a Budget, April 2018
Stephen E. Berken is a partner with Berken Cloyes, PC. His practice focuses on areas of consumer bankruptcy law. Mr. Berken earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of California in 1981, and his J.D. degree from Hastings College of the Law, the University of California in 1984. Mr. Berken is a frequent lecturer before various professional groups. Mr. Berken handles cases involving Chapter 7 and 13, defense and prosecution of bankruptcy adversary matters.
Sean Cloyes
Sean Cloyes partnered with Steve Berken to form Berken Cloyes in 2016. Sean graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also obtained his Juris Doctorate from dear old Nebraska U. Sean is a member of the Colorado Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in Federal and State Courts and Agencies in Colorado. Sean joined Kinnaird Cloyes & Kinnaird, P.C., in June 2001, becoming a partner in 2005. From approximately 2005-2014, Sean was chair of the El Paso County Bar Association Bankruptcy Subsection, during which time he taught semi-monthly CLE’s to other attorneys and served as a liaison between the Colorado Bankruptcy Court Judges and the El Paso County Bar.
Though a native Nebraskan, Sean considers Colorado home and enjoys mountain biking, wakeboarding, hiking and playing softball when not spending time with his wife and two kids.
Joshua "Josh" Sheade
“Josh” Sheade focuses his practice on bankruptcy matters, bankruptcy litigation, commercial litigation, and complex secured transactions including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations for both individuals and corporations, and representing individuals, corporations, municipalities, banks and Chapter 7 trustees as plaintiff, defendant, creditor, debtor, appellee and/or appellant within appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, adversary proceedings, contested matters, civil actions and arbitrations concerning claims for unperfected liens, fraudulent transfers, non-discharge-ability, breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, judicial foreclosures, replevin, evictions; and violations of the automatic stay, discharge injunction, Federal Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
Mr. Sheade attended Vermont Law School where he concentrated on land use and takings issues, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the conflicts between federal environmental laws and the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, Mr. Sheade interned with the United States Department of Interior Office of the Solicitor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, clerked for the 18th Judicial District of the State of Colorado and prepared an Amicus Brief for RadLAX Gateway Hotel, LLC v. Amalgamated Bank, 566 U.S. 639, 132 S.Ct. 2065, 182 L.Ed.2d 967 (2012).
Upon graduating from law school in 2012, Mr. Sheade returned to Denver where he first called home upon completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas in 2005. Although often found in his office at Berken Cloyes, P.C., as he strives to offer first-rate personalized services to each and every client, Mr. Sheade still loves the serenity and solitude of the Rocky Mountains. Whenever an opportunity exists, Mr. Sheade moves one-step closer to summiting all 53 14,000-foot peaks either by foot or on skis; and after checking another mountain off the list, you can find him either fishing at the nearest river or rehydrating at the local brewery.
The giant playground in Denver’s backyard has allowed Mr. Sheade to unwind after having succeeded in litigating a bench or jury trial within state courts throughout Colorado or before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado. He also has experience with assisting clients through depositions, prevailing on dispositive motions and presenting oral argument before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Sheade makes a strong effort to seek an equitable outcome for his clients while remaining aware of measures to save the expenses associated with trial.